Introduction

“Acid”, “alkaline”, and “pH” are words often used to market everyday merchandises like bottled water and personal care products.  Here, we explore what these words mean and elaborate on the reactions between acids and bases in aqueous solution.  Acid-base reactions are also involved in the solubility of ionic compounds.  For example, the crusty buildup of minerals around a faucet can be difficult to scrub away but adding some vinegar, an acid, can dissolve away the minerals.  The concepts we learned in Unit 3, predicting the shift in equilibria and calculations using ICE tables, are applied here in the context of acid-base chemistry and low solubility ionic compounds.

Unit 4 Sections

4.1 Definitions of Acids and Bases

4.2 pH Calculations and Acid-Base Strength

4.3 Polyprotic Acids and Bases

4.4 Acid-Base Reactions and Buffer Solutions

4.5 Acid-Base Titrations

4.6 Solutions of Sparingly Soluble Ionic Compounds

Each section has a reading portion, self-check question, and a set of practice exercises with solutions.  This course has a strong emphasis on solving problems by applying concepts from the reading portions.  Thus, working through the self-check questions and practice exercises is important for learning how to apply concepts in chemistry. The supplementary resources and supplementary activities within the sections are not for marks but provide alternative perspectives to enhance understanding of the course material.